14-12-85 Saloon races lose sponsorship WELLINGTON (PA). - The New Zealand saloon car championship has lost the sponsorship of the ANZ Bank, which initiated the series two seasons ago. Announcing the withdrawal yesterday, Motorsport Association president Morrie Chandler said it may be too late for a new sponsor to be found in time for the first series round at Baypark on December 29. The championship might have to wait until the 1986-87 season for a major sponsor to be arranged, he said. The series would continue growing stronger and popular with spectators eager to see the Group A saloons in action. "There are an increasing number of cars being prepared and MANZ will be sponsoring the winning driver to the Bathurst road race next year as New Zealand's official representative, " Mr Chandler said. "This would have been a tremendous opportunity for the championship sponsor to get wide coverage in Australia," he said. ANZ Bank public affairs and marketing manager Peter Hazael said the bank had been reluctant to withdraw from the series but the decision was unavoidable. "We only got a formal proposition from MANZ on November 11 and they could not confirm who was going to take part in the series or full television coverage.' "We are also concerned not to have a repeat of last season's final race at Wigram, where we had only three cars on the starting grid New Series Meanwhile, Shell is to sponsor a motor racing series for standard locally-assembled saloons. It will be the Shell Sport manufacturers' championship, to be held for the first time over three events in March and April. The series will succeed the 10-year-old Shell Sport championship for saloons. The events will be at Mansfield on March 16, Baypark on March 30 and Pukekohe on April 6. To enter any vehicle, manufacturers must have a minimum local assembly run of 200 of the model over 12 months. An extension is possible for models in assembly, but a $10,000 bond is payable for each such model until 200 have been assembled. Cars will race in four classes, 0-1400cc, 1401- 1600cc. 1601-2000cc and over 2000cc, points for each class being awarded from first to sixth place. Points will be weighted to reflect the market penetration of cars in each class, giving smaller assemblers a better chance. Regulations for the series are designed to make sure competing cars are as close as possible to those from the showroom floor. Shell is putting up $15,000 directly for the first year of the series, which includes $8400 for prize-money for drivers, but it is understood other support could bring the cost to the company to about $40,000. Manufacturers have until January 30 to register for the championship. 13-1-85 SUNDAY, JANUARY 19 LADY VAGRE MEETING TROPHY SAVE DOLLARS BUY CONCESSION TICKETS PRE RACE BOOKINGS DISCOUNTED AN OUTFIELD : $6. Available from Cockrams Japanese Car Corne INFIELD S10 Ron Rutherford Cars 235 Durham St. 58 Manchester St. Marac, Marac House INFIELD Atlantic & Pacific, 118 Armagh St. CHILDREN S2 Travel Agents, Herons Motors 118 Hereford Street. High St. Rangiora SUNDAY, JAN. 19 RNZAF STATION, WIGRAM ADMISSION, RACEDAY AT GATES OUTFIELD ADULTS $8. CHILDREN UNDER 14 ACCOMPANIED BY ADULTS FREE INFIELD ADULTS SIZ, CHILDREN $3